Exploring Areas of North Cascades National Park | Part 1
When my friend asked if I’d like to join her and several other women photographers on a trip to North Cascades National Park, of course, I said yes. She graciously did all the planning and made all the arrangements for the stay, food, and transportation. All I (we) had to do was get ourselves there with gear and appropriate clothing. How nice is that?
A mutual friend and I decided to go a few days early and explore the area around Port Townsend before joining the others for North Cascades. We made an early morning drive to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP to photograph there, and the following day we enjoyed a very cold whale watching trip.
Then, it was off to meet the others and make our way to North Cascades. Plans had to be adjusted because of the forest fires that were active in the area. But, we managed and began our trip with a beautiful waterfall in the morning and a most amazing Milky Way scene over the Liberty Bell Mountain that transformed right before our eyes… and our cameras… that evening.
There was debate over whether shooting the Milky Way would even be feasible given the amount of smoke in the air. But, we decided to wait it out and just see. We took a few frames of the area and then settled in to setting up our tripods and cameras in anticipation of the Milky Way rising. As it got darker, sure enough the stars revealed themselves and we were hopeful that the smoke would not be a big deterant. As we were photographing the Milky Way, all of a sudden we noticed a glow along side the Liberty Bell Mountain. Shortly thereafter, we realized this was a forest fire. The Sourdough Fire. Horrible and beautiful at the same time. Astonishing!
Snoqualmie Falls
Milky Way over Liberty Bell Mountain and glow from the Sourdough Fire
The following day we explored Slate Peak Lookout and the surrounding areas.
Next, we traveled to the northern part of the park to explore and shoot from sunrise to sunset in the Baker Recreational Area.
Milky Way rising toward Mount Baker. I can only assume that the ambient light on the horizon is from the Seattle area.
Exploring Washington’s North Cascades National Park
As you can see there is no lack of beauty in the North Cascades NP. We explored only a very small part because of the fires and smoke, so you can be sure I’ll be going back.
Experiencing this amazing mountain area would not have been quite as sweet without my companions supporting, encouraging, and reconnecting to nurture our friendships.
L to R: Julie Boyd (thanks for capturing us), Jenny Carr, Me, Michele Thompson, Amy Ames, and Kathy Roberts with Mount Shuksan in the background.
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The roads and trails close during the winter in Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. But, if you'd like to snowshoe, cross-country ski, or walk the trails, you are welcome to do so.